Page 133 of Gabriel's Salvation

“Unfortunately, we need you. You're the only one that John trusted enough to show the inner workings to, the only one higher ups will work with without John,” Micheal reveals, and I can tell by the look on his face he’s furious about the fact that he needs me.

“So what? You're just gonna untie me, and you expect that we're all gonna be best fucking friends?” I question. How the fuck did this happen? How the fuck am I going to get out of this? What about Nate? Riley? Even Isabella? Are they going to suffer because of me? I’m probably better off dead. I can barter their safety for my knowledge and life.

“We may need you alive for now, but you've abandoned the Sinners Gabe; that can't go unpunished,” Phoenix pipes up.

“Yes, and for some dirty little whore at that,” Marko adds, “Hope her fucking pussy was worth it.”

A sense of panic washes over me. Shit, do they know about Riley? How much she means to me? How? I've been so careful to keep my two worlds apart.

“Oh,” Marko laughs, bringing his face just centimeters from mine, “You thought we didn't know about your little whore?”

“Leave her the fuck out of this!” I snap as I spit directly into his face. How did they find out about her? Is she safe?

“Cunt!” he shouts as he kicks my chair with so much force that I fall backward. As I do, one of the legs snaps off, making it easier for me to partially free myself.

“What I wouldn't give to kill you right now,” Marko says through gritted teeth as he points his gun down towards me. My hands are still tied behind my back but my legs are now free so I take my chance and attempt to kick him away, but he’s too quick. The sound of gunfire echoes around the room. I wait for the inevitable feeling of either pain or death to overcome me, but nothing happens.

“The next one won't be a warning,” Phoenix shouts. I turn towards him and see he’s holding his own gun high in the air.

“The bastard deserves it,” Marko states coldly as he brings his boot down, and stamps directly on my abdomen, winding me.

I begin coughing and sputtering, trying not to throw up from the shock and pain.

“Man, you've no idea how long I've wanted to do that,” he laughs as he attempts to do it again. This time I'm ready. Just as his foot comes down I roll over and his foot hits the chair, causing it to break, setting me free. Bring it on asshole!

Realization flashes across his face a second before my foot connects with his balls, bringing him to his knees. I waste no time climbing on top of him and punching and elbowing him as quickly and forcefully as I can. I enjoy watching the fear in his eyes as he realizes he’s unable to break out from under me, despite all his attempts at thrashing around. I feel blow after blow connecting with my ribs and hips but barely register the pain, I'm too lost in the euphoria of the fight.

I suddenly feel arms attempting to pull me back and off him but I resist.

“Make the call now!!!” someone bellows as two sets of strong arms desperately attempt to drag me off a bloody and bruised Marko.

The sound of ringing fills the air for a moment, but unfortunately it's enough to distract me just long enough for Marko to escape from under me as Phoenix and Michael pull me off him.

“I believe you know my cousin Ryan,” Marko says as he spits out a mouthful of blood and possibly a tooth.

The only man still wearing his stupid balaclava removes it and my eyes widen in shock. It's the wannabe rapist from Tucker's birthday. He’s Marko’s cousin? How didn't I know that?

I see the same sadistic smile lighting up the prick's face as the one I've seen on Marko’s so many times before. The family resemblance is fucking obvious now. “I told you I'd get you back, didn't I?” he smirks.

“I’m gonna fucking kill you!” I bellow as I attempt to break free of the tight hold the others have on my arms.

“Fucking try it,” he laughs as he presses a button and suddenly a projection of a familiar sight lights up a makeshift screen on the wall behind him.

My heart drops out of my ass as I see my beautiful girl, fast asleep in her bed. A masked man standing near her and holding a knife appears on the screen. Please let this be fake, please!

“Can you hear me?” Rapey Ryan says aloud.

The masked man nods his head before lifting his finger to his lips, telling us to be quiet. Shit, it's real. These monsters have Riley.

“Please!” I beg. “Kill me, but spare her.”

Laughter erupts from the men around the room. “Seems our fierce leader has gone soft boys,” Marko smirks before punching me square in the jaw. I try to fight back but the two men have a firm hold on me, plus my attention is still mostly on my sleeping beauty on the screen.

“Fucking bow!” Marko snaps. “Drop to your fucking knees and bow. Bow in front of everyone and let them know that you accept me as your fucking leader,” Marko sneers as he manically bounces from foot to foot.

A growl of frustration leaves my mouth. “Never!”

“Seems he may need a little more motivation,” Phoenix laughs beside me.

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